We all know very well what a problem Varroa mites pose for beekeeping. It is not a secret that attempts to solve this problem with both chemicals and environmentally friendly methods are ongoing. We, for our part, also took part in solving this problem. For five years, we studied possible ways to influence mites in the hive without using any drugs or even bio-technical methods. Our task was not to kill all the mites, no, but to make sjch a hivem in which Varroa mites will stop reproducing uncontrollably and destroying the bee families in which they live. And, finally, we are ready to say that we have developed principles that allow this to be done.
For five years we have been experimenting with different models of our new hive, which was supposed to create conditions that improve the life of bees and worsen the life conditions of Varroa mites. And finally we succeeded. Our new hive model is not much different from the standard hive, but it has a few "zests".
What are the results that allow us to say that a simple way to solve the problem of varroatosis has been found.
1. At the first experimental apiary were obtained the following results . In 2023, 5 Carnica families in new hives survived the season and had virtually no mite shedding in the fall. One of the families survived the 2023 and 2024 seasons in the new hive, that is, almost 2 years without using any preparations. In September 2024, a comparative treatment of it and the control families of the apiary was carried out. With two-fold treatment with Bipin (amitraz), approximately 200-250 mites fell in each control family. In the experimental family, 3-5 mites fell. After this, additional treatment with formic acid was carried out by evaporating it. After a few days, 30-50 mites fell onto the boards in the control families, and there was no shedding at all in the experimental family. The condition of the family is excellent.
2. At the second experimental apiary we obtained the following result . In 2024, two strong Carnica colonies were purchased for the experiment at the beginning of April. The owner of the colonies treated the colonies for mites in the fall with bipin (amitraz) and formic acid. In April, the alcohol washes showed 0 mites. In May, both colonies were divided in half, and again in summer and one offshoot was made in august. The total number of colonies become seven. But, initially, only one of the purchased colonies was placed in a new experimental hive of the latest model. The colonies were in one place three dozen centimeters apart throughout the season. No special procedures were performed with the colonies. There were periods of queenlessness when dividing the colonies. The colonies and the first offshoots produced 2 supers of commercial honey at the stationary site. The wash ( with soda ash ) at the end of September showed the following results. Experimental colony #7 - 308 bees, 1 mite, mite infestation 0.32%. The offshoot from it made in May, No. 6 - 328 bees, 10 mites, mite infestation of 3%. The family bought together with the experimental one in April, No. 3 - 450 bees, 17 mites, mite infestation of 3.8%. The offshoot from family No. 3, family No. 2 - 264 bees, 16 mites, mite infestation of 6%. The offshoot from family No. 3, family No. 1 - 226 bees, 8 mites, mite infestation of 3.54%. The offshoot from family No. 7, family No. 8 - 246 bees, 11 mites, mite infestation of 4.47%. The offshoot from family No. 3, family No. 9 - 324 bees, 18 mites, mite infestation of 5.55%.
The result is - bee colony in the experimental hive has a mite infestation that is at least 10 times lower than all the control colonies. The result is not the best, since the apiary placement conditions were significantly worse than necessary. Based on these data and the duration of the mite development season - 5 months from May to September inclusive, we can say that the starting mite infestation of both colonies was slightly more than 0.1%. As a result, in the experimental hive, the mite population growth during the season was approximately 3.2 times versus 32 times in the control hives. This means that even with such unfavorable apiary placement conditions, beekeepers can treat bees no more than once every 3-4 years, and with the correct placement of the apiary, this need may disappear completely. In any case, the results obtained indicate that the chosen method of combating Varroa mites works, and the new hive model fully provides the necessary conditions for this.
Based on all of the above, it makes perfect sense to introduce a new hive and beekeeping strategy into mass beekeeping. We, for our part, are ready for further mutually beneficial cooperation with all interested structures and organizations of any form of ownership to further promote our hive and beekeeping strategy in all countries of the world. And these are not empty words, since we have developed two different beekeeping strategies - for cool regions and regions with a Mediterranean or subtropical climate. There are significant differences, but in both cases, the effort of beekeepers to combat Varroa mites will be minimal, and the efficiency is equally high.
Contacts - glebskij@gmail.com
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